News: Hospital Club Studios update

News: Hospital Club Studios update

Issue 101 of our magazine reports on the March STLD AGM held at the Hospital Club Studios - which had originated the London segments of the Hope for Haiti Now programme, broadcast a just few weeks earlier.

Since then, much has happened - Anne Marie Phelan writes:

I’ve never worked anywhere with an Art Curator and a Wedding Co-ordinatorbefore. Just trying to explain what we do here is a challenge so bear with me.The Hospital Club supports the creative industries in ways both commercial andphilanthropic.

As well as a studio and events business, The Hospital Club supports severalapprenticeship schemes and a Creatives In Residence programme dedicatedto nurturing emerging talent in the Arts. The Studio Team takes on a newapprentice every 2 years and we’re very proud that Donald Eke, our lasttrainee, is now a Studio Engineer working on Telegenic's new 3D OB trucks.Our lovely French Philanthropic Manager, Lolo, spoke at STLD’s AGM recentlyto talk about this year’s programme that covers Film, Architecture, Opera,Theatre, Fashion and Music. This year’s intake are a bright, enthusiastic bunchwho are working on exciting and diverse projects and blossoming under thetutelage of their mentors. To find our more visit www.thehospitalclub.com/cir.

We’re spread out over 7 storeys; from Europe’s first HD TV Studio in thebasement to the Music Studio on the top floor. The 2nd floor of our thrivingmembers club has just reopened after a redesign and now includes a 3D cinema.Many of our studio clients are club members and enjoy networking with theirpeers. We’re a working building so when a band finish for the day in the MusicStudio or a TV Production wraps, they can wander into the club for a drink or ameal.

The TV Studios recently hosted a new ITV1 daytime series, 3@three. I love alive show and when it’s in HD with a lovely production team and showcasingour neighbourhood, it’s a pleasure to work on. Happily, ITV hired Nick Collierto design the lighting. Nick has worked with us before and was his usual witty,unflappable self. As well as the set, the Lighting Team had to rig for pieces tocamera in our Reception Area, Lift Lobbies and even outside our Front Door.Luckily, each floor in our building has ample power and a studio wallbox so wecan easily shoot beyond the studio floor. They had to quickly derig outside theFirst Floor Restaurant one day as we had a wedding ceremony happening therelater. Now how many studios have you worked where you’re given the bum’srush in case the Bride turns up?

The team were out and about every day doing vox pops in Covent GardenPiazza and on Neal Street. It reminded me how beautiful the neighbourhoodis. One of the factors clients often cite when choosing to work with us is ourconvenient location. I think that apart from the obvious ease of transport links,the inspired local architecture and range of shops, bars and restaurants give theplace a real neighbourhood feel. With the opening of the new Apple Store, we’veseen visitor numbers increase in the area.

While glitzy bars and a great location might win you business, it’s our studio teamthat keeps clients coming back. We have only one studio and dedicate ourselvestirelessly to each production. If you would like to meet the team and take a lookaround the building, please contact me at studio@thehospitalclub.com or checkout www.thehospitalclub.com/studio